Helen Martins, lying in her bed one moonlit night, contemplated the dullness and grayness that had seeped into her life. Determined to infuse vibrancy, she made a simple resolution to bring light and color into her world. What began as a quest for decoration evolved into an obsessive urge to convey her deepest feelings, dreams, and desires.
The chronology of her work remains uncertain, but it is known that the interior of her house was completed before the exterior transformation began. A lack of an overall plan allowed her fascination with the interplay of reflection, space, light, dark, and hues to guide her creative process. Helen extracted an emblematic language from ordinary articles, crafting sun-faces, owls, and other images against a luminous backdrop of walls and ceilings adorned with patterns of crushed glass in bands of vividly colored paint.
The Owl House, often hailed as South Africa’s finest example of outsider art, stands as an extraordinary testament to Helen Martins’ creativity. Concrete and ground glass sculptures adorn this otherworldly home, evoking a range of emotions from wonder to excitement, curiosity, and sadness.
Born in Nieu Bethesda, Helen’s unconventional life, marked by sensitive endeavors, unconventional relationships, and societal discord, led her to seclude herself in her Camel Yard haven, proclaiming, “This is my world.” Assisted by individuals like Koos Malgas, she transformed her home into a kaleidoscope of colors and light.
Despite her artistic legacy, Helen Martins chose to end her life at 79, leaving behind a mystery surrounding the reasons for her decision. The interpretations of her life and motives are varied, with theories ranging from failing eyesight due to ground glass exposure to personal conflicts and depression.
Regardless of the uncertainties surrounding her life, one undeniable truth remains – Helen Martins bequeathed a powerful vision of her world. Visitors to The Owl House can experience this vision for an entry fee of R60 per person for adults and kids, with a combo ticket for both the Owl House and the Kitching Fossil Centre available for R90. The journey to Nieu Bethesda from Graaff-Reinet is marked by picturesque directions, guiding travelers to witness the captivating legacy of Helen Martins